Frequently Asked Questions

I am thinking of buying a new computer. What are the most important things to consider?

Contrary to popular belief, the size of the hard drive is not what matters so much as the processor, bus speed, and amount of memory. Hard drives, no matter how large, will not typically aid the computer in thinking ability. They are mostly just storage places. Suppose you want to increase the speed of your automobile. You would increase the engine size, and possibly increase the amount of fuel/air sent to the engine. You would not get a bus to drive faster. Bigger storage space does not equal higher performance.

The speed of the processor and its multi-tasking ability (duo core), can dramatically increase its thinking speed. The bus speed refers to the rate at which the motherboard can transfer data. In a nutshell the amount of memory helps the computer process all of the commands given to it more immediately.

Keep in mind that repairs and replacements can be costly. If there is an extended warranty option, strongly consider it. The labor and parts cost on a NEW hard drive replacement starts at about $125.00.

The fastest, least expensive, safest way is currently DSL. In some towns cable modems are faster, but since they are on a shared network, they are less safe – it is possible for someone to hack into a computer on a cable modem if they too have a cable modem.

Once you have gone to high speed (Cable, DSL, or some wireless), it’s frustrating to downgrade to a dial up connection (like with AOL, Earthlink, PeoplePC, etc.) Keep in mind that Frontier offers a dial-up connection AND DSL. With DSL, your phone line is available for use while you’re surfing the internet. Frontier is currently offering a 6 Megabyte per second download in certain parts of town. This is faster than cable has ever been. Cable is typically 1 Megabyte per second download speed.

There is an issue here. If you have phone service through your cable provider, and you need emergency service, only the billing address is viewable to 911. In other words, if you need to call 911 in an emergency, the 911 dispatch may only see your PO Box, and not know where you are!

My computer is running much slower than usual. What are the possible causes?

I am having trouble trying to find some files I thought were stored on my PC. How can I find them?

In Windows XP, click on Start and choose Search. Then fill in the name of the file you’re looking for. Here you can narrow down which folders you want the computer to look in. You can even specify the dates of creation, and the type of file, i.e. a picture or document. In all Windows operating systems, including XP, you can hold down the Windows key and type “F” for “Find.” The Windows key is located on the left side of the keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt keys.

I have more than one computer in my home/business. Can they be hooked together?

The easiest way is to use a CD Burning Program such as Nero or Roxio. However, XP comes with the ability to burn files for most CD Burners. By the way CD/RW means it is rewritable. CD-R is a one shot deal – once you burn files to it, they are there forever or until you scratch your CD so badly the drive can’t read it anymore – it cannot be erased and written over, as in a rewritable CD.

I run a small business, and we use our computers to store information. What security software should I use?

I have tried them all. The one which works best from my experience is AVG. It has a small footprint (it does not use most of the resources of the computer). Most of the others can cause reduce your PC speed to a crawl. Since I found AVG, Back To Basics Computers only sells AVG.

I am thinking of starting a small business. What kind of computer, and software should I have?

It depends on the size of the small business. In a small business of 25 or more persons where access needs to be managed and restricted closely, domains should be implemented in a server environment. Server software is required. With many small businesses like in my own, for example, a “file server,” that is, a computer that stores all the data of the business, can be used in an XP system of networked computers.

I would like some training to help me use my computer better. Where should I go?

You can try the local community college. They usually offer reasonably priced basic and advanced computer courses. You can also use Back To Basics Computers many of your your training needs. Call (928) 854-6972 (MyPC) for more details.